Little known fact: I know most of the words to 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon. It's not that I particularly like this song, it's just that when the song came out in 1975, it quickly became one of my father's favourites. He used to play it over and over again.(Along with Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot and Heart of Gold by Neil Young.)
"The answer is easy if you take it logically."
The record player at our house in Moncton was on top of the stairs on a high shelf. Apparently at the age of 3, I decided to play my dad's record. Some vinyl may have been damaged. I'm not sure he's forgiven me yet.
"I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free, there must be 50 ways to leave your lover."
Some kids learn the Wheels on the Bus, I learned 50 Ways.
The Boy at age 2, found a box of cassettes. He proceeded to pull the tape out of all of them. Luckily he stayed away from the vinyl. (I miss vinyl and record stores -- btw I'm looking for a cheap turntable in working order.)
Nature or nurture, I'm sure I'll never really know.
"She said it grieves me so to see you in such pain, I wish there was something I could do to make you smile again."
The Boy, The Man and I were standing at Bluesfest watching The Tragically Hip. (Great show, drunken frat boys aside.) And every now and then, The Boy would turn and say "Do I know this one?" And I'd tell him the title of the song. And he'd nod seriously. Then the lyrics would start and he'd know some of the words ("Off the coast of France, dear") and the entire bridge from 100th Meridian. I think every Canadian should be able to recite it, you learn O 'Canada, then a heavy does of The Hip. (I don't give a fuck about hockey, but The Hip...)
"I said I appreciate that, but could you please explain about the 50 ways."
It's only during Bobcaygeon that The Man expressed his confusion. "He knows all the words?" Why would such a young impressionable mind be crammed full of lyrics...
Short answer because my internal song-lyric hard drive is almost full so it's downloading them to The Boy. The hard drive skips and words get stuck in my head. When words get stuck in my head, I need to listen to them so I can get rid of them, it's a download of sorts. (File under you might be a geek.) And I like to listen to music in the car...
The Boy goes to a private school and I need to drop him off every morning. This gives me 30 minutes a day to cram his head full of whatever is in my head. I do this until he'll finally say to me "Mom, can we please listen to something else." Then I know I've gone a bit too far.
Still, I took me a moment to all the pieces together as to why he knew all the words to Bobcaygeon. Really knew.
Bobcaygeon is one of my favourite love songs ever. I guess I play it a lot. Well, I know I play it a lot. So much that The Boy knows all the lyrics by osmosis. It's one of my warm blanket songs. You don't want to go to work and the thought of leaving it all behind is terribly appealing. (And well, really, this is possibly one of the most romantic songs ever.)
I suppose the concept of quitting and leaving it behind is appealing to The Boy as well, he's learned all the words too. He chose it this morning on the way to camp. Wonder if he had an earworm. Or if he's attempting some sort of download.
Apple. Tree. Not far indeed.
